It’s hard to believe that the Mercedes SLS AMG has been around since 2011. It wasn’t that long ago that we were all waiting in anticipation of the supercar’s debut and now, with the SLS getting its discharge papers, and Mercedes has decided to give the mighty supercar one last hurrah in the form of the SLS AMG GT Final Edition.

Dressed in the same two-tone red and black finish that has become a staple for the SLS AMG, the Final Edition model also carries a number of styling cues that distinguishes itself from the rest of its brethren. It’s highly appropriate too, considering that this is the final run of SLS AMG models — all 350 of them — so it has to stand out in more ways than one.

The SLS AMG GT Final Edition comes with plenty of new and modified components, including a new carbon-fiber hood and front splitter, a redesigned front bumper, and new brakes. An updated rear wing is also part of the program, as are darkened light surrounds, and carbon-fiber mirror housings.

Performance numbers remain the same, which means that the supercar will receive a 6.3-liter, V-8 engine that produces 591 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in a scant 3.7 seconds to go with a top speed of 198 mph.

Like what was said, the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition will only have 350 units built, so if you’re looking to scoop one up, you need to be sitting at your local Mercedes dealer the morning it opens the order books.

We’re sure there will be much more information to roll out when Mercedes unveils the model in LA, so stay tuned for more updates.

Latest Mercedes SLS-Class news and reviews:

Remember the atrociously green electric Mercedes-AMG SLS unveiled back in 2011, called the E-Cell? The production version it spawned was a bit of a flop, but Mercedes-Benz is more serious than ever about electrification and Tobias Möers, the boss of AMG, is confident that a new electric sports car is on the way.

It’s been almost a decade since Mercedes-Benz tested the waters with an eco-friendly version of the mighty SLS. At the time, the car was considered as nothing more than a way for Mercedes to flex its tech-savvy muscles but now, on the brink of 2019, we view EVs differently, and that car might be the stepping stone for AMG’s next flagship electric sports car.

Car-related Christmas commercials are generally good fun, especially when it’s not a hard sell, in-your-face ad about year-end closeout deals or other pitch. One of my favorite light-hearted commercials came from Mercedes-Benz in 2012. It features the SLS AMG GT3 racecar and its development team. The commercial begins with engineers and pit crewmembers tirelessly working under the SLS’ hood. It appears the AMG team is making corrections to the big 6.2-liter V-8, perhaps tweaking it to hit that sweet 600-horsepower mark. The SLS then burns rubber out of the pits and onto the rack where the pit crew seems oddly obsessed with making the car hit 180 degrees Celsius. Strong German accents bark orders at the driver not to hit the curbs, presumably to save the SLS’ forged aluminum control arms.

The mystery comes to a close when the car pulls back into the pits, and the hood is opened. There, sitting perfectly inside the SLS’ long engine bay, is a tray of Christmas cookies decorated with Mercedes emblems, AMG logos, Reindeer, and shooting stars. A taste reveals the cookies were perfectly baked by the all-aluminum V-8, confirming the $456,000 non-streetable SLS AMG is the most exciting oven ever devised.

So, remember that failed electric sports car that Mercedes tried to make happen back in 2013? You know; the one that started out as the SLS AMG E-Cell in 2011 and became a “production” model with the name SLS AMG Electric Drive. Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t know what it was, considering not even 100 examples were sold when it went on sale. That was back just a few years ago when the four-motor car was good for all of about 160 miles on a full charge – not even enough to have a full day at the track or a nice Sunday drive. So why was Mercedes just caught testing one on public roads again? It was even caked with all kinds of testing equipment. Clearly, Mercedes has something new in the works. The question is: What?

Well, we have a feeling that Mercedes-AMG could be planning to bring an all-electric AMG GT to market before it signs the death warrant on the current generation. The current model is set to run to at least 2020, and if Mercedes plays its cards right, it could have an electric model on the market yet again by 2019. Whether or not it would perform any better sales-wise is a completely different story, but when you take into considering the fact that electric cars are more common now, battery technology is better, and new material can make cars lighter than before, a 250-mile all-electric GT is entirely feasible.

If this is actually the case, Mercedes could have retrofit an advanced, lightweight battery and lighter, more powerful motors into one of its old prototypes and is actually putting it through the paces to see if the technology can hold up to a beating. After all, a car like the AMG GT is meant to be driven, and hard, so if a second run at having an electric sports car is going to work, Mercedes needs to deliver something that can overshadow the best it’s got at this point in the GT lineup. The real question is whether or not an electric GT can actually be successful. After all, less than 100 of the SLS AMG Electric Drive were sold, so perhaps the truth is that we don’t want electric sports cars and maybe Mercedes should quit trying to make it a thing.

Last week, we took a look at our top picks for the best five hybrid sports, listing off some truly awe-inspiring gas/electric combos that proved hybridization wasn’t something to be feared by the common auto enthusiast. But while adding a big battery pack and a few electric motors might seem like a pretty sizable modification to the traditional sports car formula, there’s an even-greater change lurking just over the horizon – the pure-electric powertrain. That’s right, gasoline need not apply in this crowd, and yet, the speed potential is still enough to melt your face. This is our list of the top five all-electric performance cars.

There are plenty of benefits that electric power offers over internal combustion, especially when it comes to the business of going fast. For starters, the torque curve for an electric motor is totally flat, with maximum twist created the instant you touch the long pedal to the right. There’s also zero power loss at high altitude, a characteristic that’s particularly useful at hill climb events like Pikes Peak. What’s more, with enough motors and a little electronic wizardry, you can get away with some pretty kick ass torque vectoring dynamics. Of course, it’s not all roses – for example, the all-electric appliance noise will never beat the sound of exploding dino juice. Regardless, all-electric performance is still quite impressive. Here are five examples that prove it.

Continue reading to learn more about TopSpeed’s Top 5 All-Electric Performance Cars.

It has been two years since Mercedes stopped production for the SLS AMG. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but with the arrival of the AMG GTand its more powerful brothers, the AMG GT S and the AMG GT R, the SLS AMG has ascended into its rightful place as a modern-day classic. That status will live on for a long time and it’s a
big reason why there are still tuners out there who are still building programs for the departed supercar. One of these tuners is RFK Tuning, which went out of its way to build a tuning kit that provided upgrades to various sections of the car, including the 6.3-liter V-8 engine that now puts out 605 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque.

The tuner put in a lot of work on this program, even going so far as to dress the SLS AMG up in a fancy body wrap. It also took out the supercar’s standard wheels and fitted a newer and admittedly fancier set. But the engine upgrade is the real treat here, not because of the modest power gains, but because RFK somehow managed to bring the car’s top speed north of 200 mph.

It’s not a mind-blowing program, but it is a nice one that should fit seamlessly into the SLS AMG’s flamboyant character. Even if it’s been two years since the Mercedes supercar was last seen in dealerships, it’s nice to know that there are still tuners like RFK Tuning that are willing to work on giving it the kind of aftermarket love it so richly deserves.

Mercedes ended production for the SLS-AMG in 2014 after bursting into the scene as the first-ever stand-alone model that AMG built. During its run, the SLS AMG also became a favorite among aftermarket tuners. Even to this day, two years after production for the supercar stopped, tuners are still creating programs for the beloved supercar. Tag Motorsports counts itself in this group as it recently unveiled its tuning kit for the 2013 SLS AMG Roadster that results in an output of 620 horsepower and 522 pound-feet of torque.

The modifications to the car’s 6.3-liter V-8 engine aren’t the only upgrades included in Tag Motorsports’ tuning kit. It also comes with a cosmetic package, suspension upgrades, and of course, a new set of wheels. The subtle improvements to the SLS AMG’s looks and chassis create a more purposeful look for the car while also enhancing its performance and handling capabilities.

Sure, the SLS AMG is no longer being built, but those who lucky enough to own one of these bad boys will now have the opportunity to give their supercars a modern tuning kit that can once again bring out the ultimate expression of what the SLS AMG was, and continues to be.

Renntech has made a career out of building programs for Mercedes models. Over the years, the German tuner has produced a handful of kits for a number of Mercedes models. A few on this hit list includes the CLS 63 AMG, E 55 AMG, C 63 AMG, and lest I forget, the SLS AMG. Now, Renntech has set its sights on the SLS AMG Black Series, the SLS AMG’s lighter and more powerful alter ego.

Back when it was released in 2013, the SLS AMG Black Series represented the pinnacle of the SLS AMG production line. It was 154 pounds lighter than the standard SLS AMG and just as important, it packed a 6.3-liter V-8 engine that produced a whopping 622 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque, 31 more ponies than the last iteration of the SLS AMG. The impactful combination of being lighter and more powerful meant that the SLS AMG Black Series was capable of sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds, two-tenths of a second faster than the regular model to go with a top speed of 196 mph.

Obviously, the SLS AMG Black Series is already a whopper in it of itself. But, like any self-respecting auto tuner, Renntech wants to get more out of the supercar. That pursuit eventually led to this: a heavily modified SLS AMG Black Series that can give even today’s supercars a serious run for their money.

Yes, I’m talking about the Ferrari 488 GTB, the McLaren 650S, and the Lamborghini Huracan. The SLS AMG Black Series may have the years on the current lot of exotics, but with Renntech’s package in tow, it has the capability to be just as quick, and maybe even quicker.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series By RENNtech.

News that the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car employs the same engine as the old SLS AMG might have left a few motorsport fans feeling disappointed, but the Germans had plenty of reasons to make such a decision. Unlike the new 4.0-liter V-8 in the road-going AMG GT, the M159 motivating the SLS AMG already has four years of racing under its belt and excellent records as far as reliability, maintenance, and low running costs go. The 4.0-liter V-8 will likely replace it once Stuttgart does some proper endurance testing, but, until that happens, the M159 remains Mercedes’ GT3 class weapon of choice.

It’ll take several months until we can asses how the AMG GT3/M159 engine combo fares at the track, but there’s at least one fact we can be sure of: the new race car will sound as menacing as its predecessor. If in doubt or if you simply aren’t familiar with the 2011 SLS AMG GT3, we have a video for you. Shown above is the Mercedes-AMG GT3 taking laps at the Nurburgring during private testing. It won’t be ready for its official debut until early 2016, but the AMG GT3 looks and sounds as if it could join the SLS AMG GT3 in next month’s 3 Hours of Sliverstone in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Hit the play button and be prepared to be amazed.

Even though the rumor mill has been churning out speculations about a Mercedes-AMG hypercar and a successor to the SLS AMG possibly in development, Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers has dismissed both reports. Speaking with the Aussies from Motoring at the Mercedes-AMG GT S Edition 1 press drive event, Moers was quite clear in saying that neither of those speculations were accurate.

"No. A hypercar is nothing what we have. There is no discussion. There’s nothing under study - nothing," he said. "Maybe in the future, yes, but not in the next five, six, eight years. Not this decade. I think it’s not necessary." Despite that, Moers also mentioned that Mercedes-AMG is technically able to work on such a project, but the only reasons keeping it from starting is the lack of a business case, which is strictly connected to AMG not being "at that level as a brand yet."

Although the Mercedes-AMG GT is in some ways a spiritual successor to the SLS AMG, Moers was adamant in reiterating that a true replacement for the modern Gullwing is not yet on the radar. "Honestly, there’s no [MkII SLS] program running. Our homework for the next years is so much, so we took the decision to not replace directly the SLS because SLS has to stand by its own and the Gullwing is an iconic car.[...] If it takes 50 to 60 years to have a Gullwing replacement coming out of the 1950s then we can wait a few more years." he continued.

Continue reading to learn why Mercedes does not want a hypercar just yet.

When thinking about sports cars and supercars, Mercedes-Benz is usually not the first name that comes to mind. The German brand is usually linked to luxury cars, Formula One and DTM race cars. However, the Stuttgart-based automaker has been meddling with the concept since the late 1920s, when the SSK was launched; a two-seater designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself. The Mercedes-badged sports car made a comeback in 1955 with the iconic 300 SL "Gullwing" and the Uhlenhaut Coupe. The latter was based on the W196 race car and at the time of its appearance - no official launch took place - was regarded as the world’s fastest car. Mercedes built a handful of concepts from the 1970s through the 1990s, but it didn’t offer a production supercar until 2003, when the SLR McLaren debuted.

Jointly developed with McLaren Automotive, the modern-day SLR was powered by a supercharged, 5.5-liter V-8 that made an amazing 617 horsepower. It had a top speed of 211 mph and it was awfully quick in a straight line, needing just over three second to reach 60 mph from a standing start. Retired in 2010, the SRL McLaren was replaced by another spectacular sports car, this time carrying the SLS AMG moniker.

While the McLaren-developed SLR was meant to be the spiritual successor of the classic SLR, the SLS AMG, the first in-house designed car from AMG, paid tribute to the 300 SL "Gullwing." Unlike the SLR, the SLS hid a naturally aspirated, 6.3-liter V-8 plant under its hood, with output ranging from 571 to 622 ponies. The exotic, gullwinged sports car remained in production until 2014, when the brand-new AMG GT replaced it as Mercedes’ halo sports car.

The new vehicle also marked the beginning of a new era for the Germans, who are no longer competing in the super-GT market, but are gunning for the lighter and smaller sports cars of the industry such as the Porsche 911. That being said, although the Mercedes-AMG GT is considered a successor to the SLS AMG, the two cars are in fact very different. How different, you ask? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out what sets the SLS AMG and the AMG GT apart. We have a full comparisons by the numbers to help you spot the differences.

/Drive made history of sorts as the first automotive channel on YouTube to be given a slot in primetime television. It’s now a part of NBC Sports, which means that it has reached a level of cache not a lot of YouTube-born shows can boast of.

So here they are, /Drive’s Chris Harris, Mike Spinelli, and Matt Farah, all enjoying the spoils of having their own TV show in America. It’s not quite like Top Gear yet, but it is pretty cool seeing the boys from Drive in a platform that doesn’t require Internet connection.

The debut episode of "/Drive on NBC Sports" was pretty cool. It coincided with the Monaco Grand Prix so naturally, it had a certain Monaco theme to it.

Harris, Farah, and Spinelli embarked on the kind of epic joyride people only get to experience when they’re given supercars to drive. In this case, Harris received the Ferrari F12Berlinetta, while Farah got the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series. For his part, Spinelli was given a McLaren 650S, which is just about as awesome as the F12Berlinetta and the SLS AMG Black Series.

The objective was pretty straightforward. All three had to embark from the home factories of the supercars they were driving and travel 1,500 miles to Monaco. The debut episode had a hint of Top Gear-like elements to it, but it was also nice to see that the people behind the production of /Drive decided to give its own identity. We’re not going to spoil what happens in the episode because there’s 22 minutes worth of show to digest. Spare some free time for this because it’s a change of pace from the typical automotive TV show.

NBC Sports just got more exciting as the network announces it’s adding the automotive YouTube sensation Drive to its Saturday morning lineup. That’s right, our friends Matt Farah, Chris Harris, and Mike Spinelli are taking their Internet show to the big time.

Drive on NBC Sports is scheduled for a 10-episide run with the pilot episode airing May 24th at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. The first show will be all about the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix F1 race and features the gang driving a McLaren 650S, a Ferrari F12, and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG through the streets of Monaco.

Episodes of Drive will still air on YouTube, though likely without the large budget granted by NBC. We’re looking forward to another great auto-based show coming on TV and we hope NBC extends the 10-episode contract to a more continual basis. If the trio host a show that as good as their YouTube routines, it’s hard to imagine the TV show not being a hit.

Already boasting of 622 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque under its hood, the Mercedes-Benz SLS 6.3 AMG Black Series has all the credentials of a blue chip supercar. But alas, German tuner mcchip apparently wasn’t satisfied with the output of this über sedan. So the tuner went about the business of building an engine upgrade for the SLS 6.3 AMG Black Series. By the time it was done, the supercar now touted an output of 654 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Incidentally, those torque numbers are now equal to that of the SLS AMG GT.

The German aftermarket company concentrated solely on the performance aspect in building this kit so it’s a little disappointing that there aren’t any cosmetic and aerodynamic upgrades done on the supercar. The good news, however, is that the kit is still likely in its infancy.

Just by calling it a Stage 1 kit, the implication is that there’s a Stage 2 kit. Maybe even a Stage 3 kit. The possibilities are admittedly getting us all geeked up. Remember, this is the same company that managed to bring out 660 horsepower out of a Mercedes C63 AMG last year. And that build, called Dominator, also had a pretty attractive camo wrap.

We’re hitching our wagons on the belief that this SLS 6.3 AMG Black Series is far from finished. It’s off to a great start, though, that much we can tell you.

If you’re interested in buying the Stage 1 kit for the SLS 6.3 AMG Black Series, mcchip is asking €3,199, which is about $4,440 based on current exchange rates.

Click past the jump to read about the Mercedes SLS 6.3 AMG Black Series

On one of our recent TopSpeed Podcast episodes, we were asked what cars we thought made the best noises. My choice was the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter, AMG V-8 found in cars like the C63 Black and the SLS. No matter what machine AMG crams this engine into it always sounds the same. It has this deep and snappy gargle that sounds more like a machine gun than a V8. If Ferrari engines sound like an opera singer, the Mercedes AMG V8 sounds like repeatedly hitting that singer in the face with a big hammer.

If you don’t believe me, hit play on that video up above. This is a three-minute collection of SLS AMG GT3 race cars tearing around a track. There is no music, no talking, just pure V-8 noise. It is like my dreams have come to life. From pit row revving to high speed flybys this video has everything you would want.

If you think there are better sounding cars on sale today, you have every right to your (wrong) opinion, but for my tastes the angry burble of the mighty AMG 6.2 is nearly perfect.

Today marks the debut of Top Gear’s 21st season and for those of you who will not have the chance to see the show, Top Gear prepared another surprise video. In this video the Top Gear folks put The Stig and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black head to head against Google’s Street View car on the Top Gear test track.

Granted, the video is a little odd, and we’re not quite sure what they are trying to accomplish, but it is still cool to see.

As a reminder, the SLS Black Series is powered by a 6.3-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 622 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and a peak torque of 468 pound-feet at 5,500 rpm. The Benz supercar goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 196 mph.

So, you see, with these amazing figures, it was pretty much impossible for the Google Street car to stand a chance against the mighty Mercedes. Check out the video to have a good laugh...

Snow is a problem most folks in the U.S., but it looks like in Russians have dug up a way to have a lot of fun in it. After all, it’s not like they can avoid the white stuff anyways. This guy wanted to see how good his Mercedes SLS AMG can handle the snow, so he took it out for an extreme drifting session, and as you can see, he does a pretty incredible job.

From the looks of it, this is the first version of the SLS AMG, which is powered by a 6.2-liter, naturally aspirated V-8 engine that delivers a total of 571 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 197 mph.

Do not try this at home, as we’re willing to bet this guy has some incredible driving skills.

One may mistake it for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive, but it’s not. This rather ostentatious SLS AMG has been modded by the folks at the AMG Performance Studio.

For an additional cost, owners can send their cars over for a complete makeover and here is one such example of an SLS AMG tastefully modified to customer preference with bright fluorescent exterior and black accents. Most of the aerodynamic upgrades you see here are standard equipment on the Black Series.

The AMG wheels have been finished in a gloss black with fluorescent accents. The brake calipers, however have been left Solarbeam Yellow which is bit odd.

Underneath the paint, all the bits and pieces are from the standard SLS AMG Black, along with that glorious 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that puts out 622 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. With this monster V-8, 60 mph comes up in just 3.5 seconds and the top speed is set at 198 mph.

Anyway, Mercedes-Benz has not revealed the name of the person who ordered this flashy car, but we expect to hear more from them about the very first SLS AMG Black Series to get the spa treatment from its very own Performance studio.

Click past the jump to read more about this modified Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

"Lairy" is defined as cunning or conceited; ostentatiously attractive or flashy; or aggressive or rowdy. Is this how you would define the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Edition? Well, this is exactly how the fellas over at TopGear feel about it...

According to TopGear magazine, the last iteration of the SLS AMG GT Black Series is more manageable than its predecessors and Jeremy Clarkson loved it for its power and tire life. However, for the rest of the world, it’s an inconvenience. And this put the ’Black Series’ in the top position as TopGear’s "Lairy Car of the Year."

It is lairy, but in a good way, they say. It lets you have all the fun and still assists you if you get slightly overboard. “It looks like it wants to bite your leg off, but actually it bear hugs you and covers your back like a best mate. It is lairy but not scary.” We’re willing to bet that those convoluted, yet genius, words came from Clarkson’s own mouth.

Tom Ford (@tomwookieford) quoted Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes AMG GmbH, as responding to the award with "Thanks - that’s pretty much what we were aiming for with the car." Ah, a tongue0in-cheek response to a even more tongue-in-cheek award — isn’t the world of automotive journalism such a wonderful world!

Anyway, so there you have it. TopGear’s "2013 Lairy Car of the Year" is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series.

When Mercedes unveiled the SLS Black Series,
which so happens to be the most powerful SLS AMG ever, everyone wanted to know how fast the car was around the Nurburgring. Still, Mercedes decided to make us wait a few months until they will finally revealed a video showing the it
lapping the famous track.

According to AMG, the driver was an AMG engineer who did a fine job navigating the windy track. AMG and Mercedes are remaining mum on the lap time, but if take a look at the video and time it yourself, you will get a time of a little under 7:30. By comparison, a standard SLS AMG lapped the ring in 7:40.

The SLS Black Series is powered by an improved version of the 6.3-liter, V-8 engine that now delivers a total of 622 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and a peak torque of 468 pound-feet at 5,500 rpm. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 196 mph.

It’s hard to believe that the Mercedes SLS AMG has been around since 2011. It wasn’t that long ago that we were all waiting in anticipation of the supercar’s debut and now, with the SLS getting its discharge papers, and Mercedes has decided to give the mighty supercar one last hurrah in the form of the SLS AMG GT Final Edition.

Dressed in the same two-tone red and black finish that has become a staple for the SLS AMG, the Final Edition model also carries a number of styling cues that distinguishes itself from the rest of its brethren. It’s highly appropriate too, considering that this is the final run of SLS AMG models — all 350 of them — so it has to stand out in more ways than one.

The SLS AMG GT Final Edition comes with plenty of new and modified components, including a new carbon-fiber hood and front splitter, a redesigned front bumper, and new brakes. An updated rear wing is also part of the program, as are darkened light surrounds, and carbon-fiber mirror housings.

Performance numbers remain the same, which means that the supercar will receive a 6.3-liter, V-8 engine that produces 591 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in a scant 3.7 seconds to go with a top speed of 198 mph.

Like what was said, the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition will only have 350 units built, so if you’re looking to scoop one up, you need to be sitting at your local Mercedes dealer the morning it opens the order books.

We’re sure there will be much more information to roll out when Mercedes unveils the model in LA, so stay tuned for more updates.

When Mercedes puts the brakes on the production of the SLS AMG in June 2014, its place will be taken by the new SLC, also known as the AMG GT or C190. However, the new AMG GT is not a true successor for the current SLS AMG.

According to former AMG CEO Ola Källenius, the SLS AMG will eventually receive a successor, but this won’t happen anytime soon. This is mostly because a car as unique as the SLS simple cannot be seceded by just any car.

Källenius said that the SLS AMG enjoyed huge success and requires its own "chapter in the automotive history." No matter when the successor arrives, it will be a true flagship supercar.

Until the day the SLS’ successor arrives, Mercedes will develop "another true AMG in an interesting sports car segment" — aka the C190 project that will arrive on the market in 2015.

Mercedes is preparing to end production
of the SLS and replace it with the smaller SLC, but tuners are still paying lots of attention to the famous supercar. Danish tuner, Kleeman, is one to show its interest in the SLS by coming up with a pretty cool tuning kit.

The kit offered by Kleemann focuses on maximum power, and the tuner transformed the SLS into the beast we’ve always wanted to see. A base SLS is powered by a 6.2-liter, naturally aspirated V-8 engine that delivers a total of 583 horsepower — not bad for a Mercedes, but not the best for a supercar.

Kleemann decided it can do better, and came up with an in-house-developed supercharger made from aluminum. This blower increases the base output to an amazing 770 horsepower and 623 pound-feet of torque. With the extra power in tow, the SLS now sprints from 0 to 60 mph in in just 3.3 seconds, from 0 to 124 mph in only 9.3 seconds and up to a top speed of
221 mph.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes SLS AMG by Kleemann.

Mercedes unveiled the current SLS supercar in January 2010, and after just four years of production, its production run will come to an end.

According to Mercedes Benz Passion, Mercedes will stop developing the current SLS in June 2014. The base coupe, roadster and GT versions will go out of production in February 2014, and from that point through its complete eliminate ion June, Mercedes will develop a special-edition SLS based on the current GT version.

The SLC — also known as project C190 series — will have the daunting task of filling the SLS’ huge shoes after its elimination. According to the first details we have on the SLC, it will be lighter and smaller than the current SLS, and will Mercedes plans to put it against the Porsche 911.

Drag racing has become so ingrained in the fabric of auto racing that you often see one taking place in pretty much all corners of the world.

But while the traditional setup often involves just a pair of cars duking it out for quarter-mile supremacy, Motor Trend has taken the concept of drag racing to a whole new level with its now famous annual installment of “The World’s Greatest Drag Race."

Now on its third installment, "The World’s Greatest Drag Race" pits not just two cars but a dozen of them. 12 of the fastest and most powerful cars you’ll ever come across, starting side by side together and racing to see who can cover the quarter-mile the fastest.

MT’s first installment of this race was won by the Nissan GT-R and it would’ve been 2 for 2 if not for the Lamborghini Aventador beating out to punch in the second staging.

But now, the list is fresh with new exotics, ready, able and willing to take the mighty GT-R’s top perch in the order. There’s an Aston Martin Vanquish, an Audi R8 V10 Plus, a Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series, a Porsche Carrera 4S, and an SRT Viper among the worthy contenders.

Oh, and yes, the Nissan GT-R is back for a third go-round to reclaim its title.

We’re not going to spoil you to action because it’s going to make for a compelling six-and-so minutes of your life.

And if you didn’t get a chance to see The World’s Greatest Drag Race 1 and 2, you can click past the jump to go check them out!

What do the SRT Viper and the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series have in common? A long nose, front engine, a rear-wheel-drive system and of course a an output of about 600 horsepower. What they do not have in common? The price: the SRT Viper is priced at $97,395 and the SLS Black Series at $275,000. A pretty huge gap in price, don’t you think?

In the latest episode of Head 2 Head, Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman wanted to see if the SLS Black Series really worth that amount of money and put it face to face to a SRT Viper.

The cars were brought to some real world canyon carving, than on a quarter mile drag race, and finished with blistering hot laps around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Now, we don’t want to be mean, but we thing the SLS has no chance on front of the new generation Viper. What do you think?

The current Mercedes SLS lineup is quickly filling up with a Coupe, a Roadster, a GT3 version, and, sometime in the near future, an E-Cell version.
However, Mercedes isn’t done yet.
As promised yesterday the fifth model in the line-up has been officially announced today: the SLS AMG Black Series.

The new SLS Black Series has borrowed some of the styling cues seen first on the GT3 version and of course combines them with some of the usual Black Series design elements. But first Mercedes worked on reducing the car’s total weight: they added lots of carbon fiber elements, a new titanium-made exhaust system, new wheels and some lightweight sports seats. As a result the new Black Series is about 154 pounds lighter than the current model.

When you add an improved engine under the hood: a 622-horsepowerV-8 engine, you will easily notice that the car’s performance numbers have also improved: the 0-to-60 mph sprint time drops 0.2 seconds and top speed is now 195 mph.

Updated 07/03/2013: Mercedes revealed today prices for the 2014 SLS Black Series. Click past the jump to find put how much you’ll have to pay to drive this exclusive supercar.

Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series.

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher got behind the wheel of a SLS AMG GT3 and test it on the race track in Hockenheim. The GT3 is based on the road-going SLS AMG, but it adds an aerodynamic package specially prepared for the race track, plus an interior also adapted for the races.

Under its hood, the GT3 version keeps the usual 6.2-liter V-8 engine, but the output has been increased to more than 600 horsepower. Exterior updates include a new front apron with a splitter; a bonnet with central cooling air vent; wider front and rear wings; side skirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes; a rear diffuser; and an adjustable rear spoiler.

Check out the video (above) to see what a Formula 1 champion has to say about the SLS GT3. It looks like Michael is having no problems finding ways to stay busy in retirement.

Mercedes unveiled the SLS AMG Roadster at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and just one year later, Mercedes offered an improved GT variant. This GT included an additional 20 horsepower under the hood, a revised 7-speed sports transmission and a revised AMG Adaptive Performance Suspension. The strange thing is that the GT updates are offered to both the coupe and roadster versions, so the spy shots we received today had us a little confused.

The spy shots make it pretty clear that Mercedes is set to reveal a small facelift for theSLS AMG Roadster, but we are stuck wondering why?

The prototype caught testing wears minor camouflage on the front section, meaning that this will actually be just a minor nose jot, not a full facelift. We are not 100 percent sure on this, but we expect to see some updates on the interior, likely on the safety and infotainment systems.

Expect the revised Mercedes SLS AMG GT Roadster to arrive in time for the 2014 model year.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Roadster.

In June, the 2012 Audi R8 E-tron became the fastest electric car around Nürburgring with a lap time of 8:09.099 minutes. The problem with the R8 E-tron, however, is that it will never be offered to customers.

This June, Mercedes decided to show what its SLS AMG Electric Drive can do and brought it to the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife test track. The results put the SLS AMG Electric Drive directly into the Guineas Book of World Records.

The electric SLS lapped the Nordschleife in just 7:56.234 minutes, becoming the fastest electric car in the world around the `Ring, but also the first electrically powered production vehicle to have mastered the legendary racetrack in under eight minutes.

This record comes just 2 weeks after the first overall win for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race.

"For the first time, an electrically-powered series production vehicle has lapped the Nürburgring Nordscheife in under eight minutes. The record for the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive in 7:56.234 minutes on the Nordschleife shows the special position of our innovative and unique drive solution," said Tobias Moers.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive.

From the fine company that gave us the Haute Couture Mercedes SLS AMG, Inden Design is back with a slightly more subtle take on the SLS AMG’s topless brother, the SLS AMG Roadster.

Mostly made up of a new conversion kit, the German tuner managed to give the SLS AMG Roadster plenty of new components that not only adds a more unique stance to the German supercar, but also helps improve the vehicle’s performance and handling credentials.

In the end, there’s plenty to like about this Inden Design program. Though it doesn’t come with a hardcore performance upgrade, you can tell that the German tuner took to great lengths to give it the SLS AMG Roadster the modification it richly deserves.

And if for nothing else, you can take comfort knowing that when it comes to Mercedes aftermarket programs, few do it better than Inden Design.

Click past the jump to read about Inden Design’s work on the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes scored its first victory ever at the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours. The No. 9 SLS AMG GT3 entered by Team Black Falcon obtained an overall win at the race. Behind the wheel were drivers Bernd Schneider, Jerome Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim.

This marked the second 24-hour enduro win this year, after occupying the top step of the podium at the Dubai 24 Hours race. The SLS AMG GT3 managed to pass other favorite cars from Aston Martin and BMW. Along with being a very difficult race, this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours required teams to face extreme weather, thanks to rain storms and fog that shut the race down for 9 hours.

Along with being Mercedes’ first overall Nürburgring 24 Hours victory, it was also Schneider’s first win and the first-ever victory for a British driver.

Click past the jump for a video from the race and more details on the SLS AMG GT3.

Just yesterday, we reported that the upcomingGran Turismo 6 will feature a total of 1,200 cars. Today, Mercedes announced that three of these model will come from AMG and include: the SLS AMG GT3, E63 AMG and A45 AMG. These models will join the current lineup already offered by Mercedes in the GT5 which includes a total of 21 vehicles.

The three AMG models deliver a combined output of more than 1,400 horsepower: 500 from the SLS, 557 from the E63 and 360 from the A45 AMG.

The new Gran Turismo 6 will be released just in time for the holiday season, so this might be a good gift idea if you’re drawing a blank for the car lover in your family. The new GT6 will be initially available for the Play Station 3 platform, but it will be offered for the PS4 at a later date.

Wheels Boutique out of Miami has made its way onto our pages a few times in the past with its 911 Turbo, F430, Panamera and Supersports, so it’s no surprise to see it sneaking its way onto our pages again today.

This time around, however, it comes bearing a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is a beauty in its own right with its sporty exterior, luxurious interior and powerful 6.2-liter V-8 engine under the hood. The tuner began by stripping off the front and rear bumpers, the trunk spoiler and the rear diffusor and replacing them all with clear-coated carbon-fiber units to lower the weight, increase aerodynamic efficiency and to simply make it look cooler.

At the corners, Wheels Boutiques used its specialty in rollers to pick out the perfect set of ADV.1 wheels to help round out the package.

No tune is ever complete without a bump in horsepower, which Wheels Boutique was happy to perform. Thanks to a new Akrapovic exhaust system, the engine now produces 575 horsepower and 489 pound-feet of torque.

The latest Mercedes SLS model reviewed by Chris Harris was the Black Series version. Today, however, he went from the most powerful supercar developed by Mercedes to its first electric one: the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive. The test was performed at the Circuit Paul Ricard and, as usual, he offers a pretty amazing test drive and some cool insight on the electric supercar.

The SLS AMG Electric Drive is powered by four electric motors – one at each wheel. This system delivers a total of 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. This amount of power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds, making it only 0.2 seconds slower than its gasoline bother and 0.5 seconds faster than the Tesla Model S.

Be patient and watch the full 20-minutes video. We can assure you it’s totally worth the time spent.

If you want to see a good video review, we suggest you look for one made by Chris Harris. We don’t know why, but we love how he tests cars.

His latest review features a very cool Mercedes SLS Black Series. The test was made at the Paul Ricard circuit, and, according to Harris, this is "a good car to watch and listen to, honest."

Many people accused Harris of reviewing too many AMG models in the past few weeks, but we can’t complain. We want more, no matter what he has to say about them!

The SLS AMG Black Series is powered by a 622-horsepower, V-8 engine and, because is about 154 pounds lighter than the standard SLS, it also delivers improved performance figures: it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and up to a top speed of 195 mph.

Back in 2011 Senner Tuning announced an upgrade package for the Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe version. Today, the same package has been extended to the roadster version. Just like with the coupe, the roadster version receives an extra 35 horsepower under the hood and new wheels, combined with an upgraded suspension system.

Senner Tuning added a new exhaust system made in high-grade steel and a new set of high-performance air filters to help boost its output beyond the standard 571 horsepower and 650 Nm (479 pound-feet) of torque. The end result is an SLS Roadster that delivers a total of 606 horsepower and a peak torque of 508 pound-feet. AS standard, the SLS AMG hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph. This package likely drops its acceleration time down to around 3.7 seconds and it may allow the SLS AMG to tickle the 200-mph mark.

Senner also installed new wheels, sized 9-by-20 inches with 255/30R20 tires up front and 11.5-by-21 inches with 295/25R21 Hankook S1 Evo-tires for the rear. The wheels are painted in titanium gray and are combined with a special coil-over suspension system made by KW Automotive.

Oakley Design may not be headed to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but that doesn’t mean it can’t steal some of the headlines, especially when it has a new program for a supercar like the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster.

Called the SLS AMG 640-2 Carbon Edition, Oakley Design gives real meaning to the program’s name with plenty of carbon parts added to the exterior and interior of the SLS AMG Roadster. Other additions to the Mercedes supercar include new air intakes with integrated LED lights, a new bumper with what looks like fangs and a new exhaust system that looks oddly similar to the one equipped in the C63 AMG Black Series.

But the most important part of the 640-2 Carbon Edition is the increase in output Oakley Design managed to give to the SLS AMG Roadster. From the stock output of 571 horsepower and 473 pound-feet of torque, Oakley Design was able to push those numbers north to 640 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque.

While these modifications certainly point to the skills of Oakley Design as a premier aftermarket company, we have a feeling that it has more up its sleeve in terms of details about its 640-2 Carbon Edition program for the SLS AMG Roadster.

According to British magazine AutoExpress, the Germans over at Mercedes are preparing to further expand its lineup with the addition of some more four-wheel-drive AMG models with the first one being based on the next-generation AMG version of the C-Class. The announcement was made by AMG’s senior powertrain engineering manager, Dr Jorg Gindele, who also confirmed that there is already a prototype version testing at AMG’s headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany.

He also confirmed that a Black Series variant of the current E63 AMG could also be offered, but only during its last years on the market. However, in order for this to become a reality, AMG will need to backtrack on its decision "to only produce two-door Black Series models."

Later this year, at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, we will see the first concept version for the company’s new GLA SUV. The GLA lineup will also include a four-wheel-drive GLA 45 AMG version, developed especially for the U.S. market.

And now a bad news: apparently the electric version of the SLS supercar will be the only model of this kind, because it is too heavy and its technology can’t be applied to any other model in the lineup.

In 1955 Mercedes unveiled the 300 SC - a car that has stolen the heart of many auto enthusiasts – but it was limited only to 92 units. So you see, the chances of finding one in our days in good conditions is pretty rare.

While the 300 SC was no doubt an amazing car, we are wondering if buying a new Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster and then paying a tuner to make it look like the 300 SC is really worth it. Apparently, a customer in Europe thinks so, as he paid the guys over Gullwing America (GWA) to make this impressive transformation.

An SLS Roadster was chosen because its platform, running gear and interior features will require only slight changes, but to make the SLS look like the 300 SC, the tuner had to do lots of work. GWA changed the position of the pop-out rear spoiler, added LED lights to the headlamps, redesigned the grille and added an assertive emblem on the top.

The tuner also installed a set of wheels, sized 22-by-12 inches on the rear and 21-by-9.5 inches upfront, a new special exhaust system and adjustable-height suspension.

The Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster is one of the few supercars that can stand alone sans any aesthetic or aerodynamic modifications.

But if you told us that Mercedes tuner extraordinaire, MEC Design, was preparing said program, we wouldn’t have any problems with it.

Comprising of an aero package that includes a bevy of new aftermarket components, MEC Design’s new program for the SLS AMG Roadster is a certified barnburner. The replacement front bumper can be had with either a one or two-piece spoiler. More aggressive side skirts are also part of the package as well as a new trunk-lid spoiler, an optional set of LED daytime running lights, a new rear bumper that can be customized to fit either an Extreme, Formula, or GT3 diffuser section, and a set of 20-inch and 21-inch mecextreme3 alloy wheels that have been fitted and wrapped in 275/30ZR20 and 295/25ZR21.

Oh, and speaking of the spoilers and the diffuser, you can tell MEC Design to use clear-coated carbon fiber to further shoot up the exclusivity and look of the sexy SLS AMG Roadster.

Inside, the modifications are right in line with what you’ve come to expect from MEC Design. The usual digs of leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber dominate the interior remodeling, particularly on the steering wheel, the console, sill plates and the seats.

Wheelsandmore offers numerous updates for the Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe, but until now, no updates have been offered for the roadster versions. We said “until now” because today the tuner has announced a brand-new upgrade kit for the SLS Roadster. Customers can choose between two different stage upgrades, with the most powerful one delivering up to 704 horsepower.

In stage II the tuner will install a new exhaust system with sport catalysts and a flap-controlled exhaust. These updates, combined with a software remapping and special sport air filters, will increase the engine’s output up from the standard 563 horsepower up to 635 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

In stage III, Wheelsandmore opted to supercharge the V-8 engine. The end result is a stout 704 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. These updates will significantly improve the car’s performance numbers, as it will then sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and its top speed has been increased to 330 km/h (205 mph).

Along with the engine upgrades, Wheelsandmore is also offering a set of 6Sporz forged wheels, ultra-lightweight aluminum coilover suspension system and LCS coilover suspension with a lift-up function that can raise the car’s ride by 40 millimeters (1.5 inches).

Out of the limelight of the Detroit Auto Show comes a new program from noted aftermarket tuner mcchip-dkr.

We already saw the initial stages of the MC700 program for the Mercedes SLS AMG late last year, but now, there are plenty of modifications to go around, highlighted by a two-stage program on the car’s 571-horsepower, 6.3-liter V-8 engine.

Stage 1, as was detailed previously, includes the operation of a mechanically driven compressor to go with the installation of a pure compressor supercharger kit, the optimization of ECU software, and the addition of a Capristo exhaust system. This resulted in the improvement of the supercar’s output to 680 horsepower and 568 pounds per feet of torque.

If that isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, the brawnier Stage Two option comes with a more aggressive ECU remap to go with a new sports catalyst, further spiking the output to a spicy 708 horsepower and 585 pounds per feet of torque.

For the Stage One program, you’ll have to shell out €69,900 ($93,400), while the Stage Two kit will set you back an additional €9,099 ($12,100), rounding it out to €78,999, or about $105,500.

In addition to the comprehensive engine upgrade, this new program also boasts a matte-grey body wrap courtesy of CoverEFX at a price of €5,999 ($8,000), as well as a new KW sports suspension kit with an HLS 4 system, a technology that for €12,999 ($17,300), can adjust the car’s front and rear axles back to factory height at just a click of a button.

German aftermarket specialist Vilner won’t waste your time with any performance upgrades. That’s not their style.

Instead, they specialize in the kind of modification that makes the interior of a standard Mercedes SLS AMG look pauper-ish by comparison. That’s not directed at the fine folks of Mercedes, who we believe do an outstanding job with styling choices.

It’s just that Vilner specializes on this kind of thing, so much so that anytime they work on an interior of a car, you expect nothing short of spectacular.

On this particular program, that’s exactly what they did, and the result is bloody impressive. There’s a whole lot that went to this program so instead of just rambling on about it, just hop on past the jump and find out what Vilner did to this particular Mercedes SLS AMG.

On paper, a Mercedes SLS AMG and Ferrari 458 Italia look pretty mechanically identical. The German sports car is powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 570 horsepower, and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 197 mph. Its Italian competitor, on the other hand, gets a 4.5-liter V-8 engine that delivers the same 570 horsepower, but it is a little bit faster — 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.

These numbers seem pretty close, but when you put them face to face on a race track you’ll find out that they are not so identical. The test drive in the above video shows you just how unfair the competition between these supercars really is. You might be surprised just how much more effectively one uses its power over the other.

So, which one is faster? You’ll have to check out the video to find out.

Mercedes AMG engineers were hard at work this holiday season and it’s not wrapping up presents or getting ready for Santa. Nope, they are hard at work under the hood of the 600-horsepower SLS AMG GT3 racecar. This time around, however, it’s not all about horsepower. It is all about keeping that temperature at 180 degrees.

No, the SLS AMG GT3 wasn’t having cooling system issues, the engineers are preparing a tasty treat for Santa while he tucks the presents under the tree. Oh, we’re not giving up all of the information that easily, you’re going to have to check out the video above to see exactly what these gearheads turned Homemakers are up to. It’s definitely well worth the watch. We hope you enjoy it and stay tuned all day for more Christmas-related videos and stories!

For the better part of a decade, The Formula One Safety Car has been driven by veteran DTM racer Bernd Mayländer. So when a discussion begins on anything and everything to do with the lineup of Mercedes vehicles that have served as safety cars for F1 races, no one is more qualified to talk about them than Mayländer.

In this video, Mayländer does just that, taking us on a short history lesson regarding the line-up of Mercedes models that have had their turn in silver and emblazoned with F1 decals with matching emergency lights fitted on top of the roof.

From the Mercedes CL55 AMG in 2000 - his first year as F1 Safety Car driver - all the way to the current SLS AMG, Mayländer discusses all his memories from all his babies, recounting the unique qualities of all the cars and even picking his favorite among the bunch.

Spoiler Alert: It’s not the SLS AMG.

And as an added treat, Mayländer, at the end of the video, unveiled the newest F1 Safety Car, the Mercedes SLS AMG GT, which will begin its time on track for the 2013 Formula One season.

We saw the new Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and we have also seen it in action. Now it’s time to learn how the SLS AMG Black Series brochure is put together. Not exactly the same as seeing the car in action on the race track, but it is still an important piece to the supercar’s puzzle.

Watch the above video to get a good look at the editing that went into taking technical drawings and turning them into brochure-worthy images. It’s a pretty sweet video, despite the fact that we don’t get to see the SLS AMG Black Series scream around at all.

In case you forgot just how bad-ass the car is, it’s powered by an improved version of the 6.3-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 622 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 468 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. The supercar uses this monstrous power to hit a top speed of 195 mph.

Lapping the famous Nürburgring race track is a dream for any car enthusiast out there. Unfortunately, it is not a reality for most of us. For those that can’t make it, Mercedes AMG has unveiled an onboard video showing the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 in action on the "Grüne Hölle" (Green Hell). This is about as close as you get to whipping the SLS AMD GT3 through the Green Hell without actually hanging onto the steering wheel. Speaking of the steering wheel, behind the wheel in this video is AMG Customer Sports coordinator, Thomas Jäger. What a job that must be…

For those of you who do not know, the SLS AMG GT3 is powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 engine — same from the standard SLS AMG – that pumps out 600 horsepower. When compared to the standard model, the GT3 version has a ton of exterior upgrades, including: front apron with a splitter, bonnet with central cooling air vent, wider front and rear wings, side skirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, a rear diffuser, and an adjustable rear airfoil.

Mercedes has just unveiled its new SLS Black Series and it looks like the folks over MEC Design are among the first tuners to try its hand at replicating the new model’s design. While this is not its first design package offered for the SLS AMG, it is no doubt the most impressive one.

In designing the new package the tuner started with a standard SLS AMG and injected a Black Series look. To achieve this, MEC Design added new front and rear bumpers, a new side spoiler, a carbon-fiber front splitter, and new diffuser. On the inside, MEC tossed in some carbon-fiber trim work and leather floor mats.

MEC didn’t just make the SLS AMG look like the Black Series, it added in some goodies under the hood to give it more Black-Series-Like oomph.
MEC managed to squeeze 631 horsepower from the SLS AMG, which gives it a 9-horsepower advantage over the SLS AMG Black Series. In order to handle the extra power, MEC also added an upgraded suspension setup and a set of alloy wheels.

We are all waiting to see the new SLS AMG Black Series and apparently this will happen earlier than expected. Mercedes AMG has posted a pretty cool teaser image for the upcoming SLS Black Series on their Facebook account, next to the promise that the official debut will be made in less than 24 hours.

"Anticipation is supposed to be the greatest joy. But don’t worry, Mercedes-AMG will not wait until Christmas to unwrap this gift. The mystery about the latest Mercedes-AMG model will be disclosed soon. In less than 24 hours, we reveal the secret under the car cover. Stay tuned and check back with us tomorrow."

And while we are still waiting for the official details, we have to remind you that details suggest the SLS Black Series will be powered by a revised 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with an output of about 620 HP. With the extra power, the Black Series will most likely go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds.

Following the SL 65 AMG 45th Anniversary built to celebrate Mercedes’ "45 Years of Driving Performance," the company has released the new SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary.
The SLS AMG GT3 version was specially developed for those "with a particular penchant for motor racing."

The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary utilizes the same designo magno graphite matte paint finish used for the SL 65 AMG version and a set of AMG light-alloy wheels in designo magno graphite. Another important feature is the extensive use of carbon fiber for the doors, bonnet, mudguards, boot lid, rear wings, front and rear apron, front splitter, and rear diffuser.
There is also a special "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo to show off that this is an exclusive model.

The interior of the sports car also gets a few changes as the steel roll-over cage is finished in the same matte "designo magno graphite" as the exterior and the dashboard and center console sport a matte carbon-fiber finish. Again, a special badge with a "1 of 5" logo was placed on the seats and the center console, which alludes to the limited production run for this racing car.

The new Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary will be limited to just 5 units and, in Germany, is priced at
€ 446,250 (about $578,000 at the current exchange rates).

UPDATE 10/22/2012: Mercedes has unveiled new images of their SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary Edition from the car’s official debut at the 2012 São Paolo International Motor Show.
Check them out in the picture gallery!

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has been the apex of the luxury automaker’s sports car lineup since 2011. In 2012, Mercedes released the GT variant of the SLS AMG as the official safety car in the Belgian Grand Prix. The GT variant was a highly desired car, but Mercedes did not offer it up to retail customers.

That was until now, as Mercedes announced it will offer up this model to the public for the first time. What’s more is that Mercedes has also released the official details on this all-new variant of the famed SLS AMG. Being the official F1 safety car, the 571 ponies that the standard SLS AMG’s 6.3-liter V-8 pumps out just won’t cut it, so we will see a nice boost in this variant’s powerplant.

Also included are minor aesthetic and functional additions to the interior. The real test is how this supercar stacks up to its competition, though there is not much out there that can compete with it.

Click past the jump to read all about the SLS AMG GT and to see how it stacks up to its competitors.

The Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series is due to be unveiled sometime in the third quarter of 2014 and details on it are already leaking out.
A Mercedes insider has provided WCF with details on the design and power output of the future Black Series.

Aaccording to the Mercedes insider, the SLS Black Series will be powered by an updated version of the current 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with its output taken up to an impressive 630 HP. With the extra power, the Black Series version should be significantly faster than the standard SLS: the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is believed to be made in just 3.4 seconds - down from the current 3.7 seconds.

As for the car’s exterior look, the design should follow along with the look of the recently announced SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary, but with a modified front bumper, a new carbon fiber hood with a center scoop, carbon fiber air intakes, and a huge carbon fiber rear spoiler.

The SLS AMG Black Series will officially be unveiled in the third quarter of 2014 and only 100 units will be offered for the US market.

Noted Mercedes tuner Kicherer has spoiled us with many aftermarket programs for the German automaker. So you expect a certain level of hype surrounding any new project they release and as expected, their latest project for the mighty SLS AMG has lived up to all of our expectations - and then some.

Comprised of aerodynamic and performance upgrades, the SLS AMG Supercharged GT carries hand-crafted vertical fin grilles that pay homage to one of Mercedes’ iconic models, the 1952 300 SL Carrera Panamericana. The SLS AMG version doesn’t have a huge Silver Arrows badge plastered in the center grille, which might have been a good idea because it would look less tacky and doesn’t take anything away from the overall profile of the supercar.

More than just the classic-inspired grille, Kicherer also took the time to dress up the SLS AMG with a satin matte black exterior finish. The German tuner also fitted a new carbon fiber front lip spoiler, added a subtle rear diffusor and carbon fins for the front fenders and the engine bonnet. Finishing off the exterior modifications are a new set of Kicherer’s own 20" and 21" RS-1 light-weight forged wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Inside, the German tuner made plenty of use of carbon fiber, particularly on the door interiors, the center console, the door sill protectors, the rear of the seats, and the stowage tray.

Last but certainly not least, Kicherer installed its own supercharger system to the SLS AMG, increasing the supercar’s output from the standard 563 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque all the way up to a stout 700 horsepower and 620 lb/ft of torque. Translated to performance numbers, the SLS AMG Supercharged GT can now hit 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed that can hit well over 186 mph without even breaking a sweat.

As we all expect, Mercedes has been hard at work testing out its upcoming SLS AMG Black Series, making sure its 600-plus-horsepower engine, upgraded suspension, and brakes are up to the task of daily use and high speeds. One place that every supercar needs to test at is the Nürburgring. Well, with the Nürburgring comes some of the most spectacular wrecks ever.

This time around, the SLS Black Series prototype got the short end of the `Ring’s stick, as it was smashed up in a wreck on the Dӧttinger Hӧhe section of the track – one of the fastest sections – and went up in flames. Fortunately, the engineers in the car were unharmed, proving that Mercedes put some serious work into the SLS’s safety devices and that the `Ring has some fast safety crews.

Before everyone gets up in arms about a Benz burning, don’t get too worried, as a wreck of this nature is bound to cause some flames and likely has nothing to do with the quality of the prototype. It is rather unfortunate to see such an expensive piece of experimental metal and carbon fiber go up in smoke, but we are willing to bet that Mercedes has a few more of these in the stable and the funds to build a new one, if needed.

What’s even cooler is that we actually got our hands on a few spy shots of the aftermath from this wreck. On top of the carnage, you also get a good look at this upcoming model
with most of its camo… well, burned off…